News

Stamp out illegal tobacco (and see the super spaniels that detect it!)

A London-wide campaign to stamp out illegal tobacco is hitting Hackney on Friday 14 July in a roadshow outside Tesco on Morning Lane.

With local school children invited to see demonstrations of the sniffer dogs at work, the roadshow will also highlight the harm caused by the sale of illegal or cheap tobacco, which is unregulated, untaxed and available at pocket-money prices, making it easier for children to buy and start smoking from a young age.

It’s estimated that criminal networks make over £100m a year from the illegal tobacco trade in London alone, with a third of smokers surveyed saying they have been offered illegal tobacco in the past year.

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The sale of illegal or cheap tobacco brings crime into our neighbourhoods and impacts on businesses that are trading legally. We’re working hard to crack down on businesses who sell it and offenders will risk action being taken if they are caught selling it.

Cllr Caroline Sellman, Cabinet Member for Community Safety and Enforcement

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Illegal tobacco makes it too cheap and easy for young people to start smoking. The illegal tobacco roadshow provides a great opportunity to highlight the dangers of smoking as well as the additional risk of illegal or counterfeit tobacco and talk to residents about their concerns.

Cllr Jonathan McShane, Cabinet Member for Health, Social Care and Devolution

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The roadshow will take place from 11am on Friday 14 July outside Tesco on Morning Lane. Anyone who suspects a premises is selling cheap or illegal tobacco should call the Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline on 03454 04 05 06 or report them online at www.londontradingstandards.org.uk/report-consumer-crime.